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Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Happy New Year! 2013 has arrived!2012 wasn't so bad; I've heard many people say how glad they are to see it go, but for me it was a pretty good year! The best part (besides being cancer-free still!) was baby Selah being born in October. It is such a joy to have another baby around. She is growing fast now and things are changing quickly! She's got the cutest smile and dimples too!When I look back on 2012, it seems like it was a year of settling in, and figuring things out. It was a year without any cancer treatments (Thank God!), and I have just been trying to figure out what my 'new normal' is, what my body is doing, and what my energy levels are. I feel that 2013 is a year in which I need to really make some changes, and I think I'm ready to do that. I've been trying to figure out this last month how food affects me, and I've switched to a low residue diet. I am not eating nuts, seeds, fresh fruits or veggies (except bananas). Only cooked/canned fruits and veggies, and esp. applesauce. Also, no high fiber breads and cereals, except oatmeal. This may not be the healthiest diet (we all know fresh fruits/veggies/high fiber is supposed to be the best), but it's what I need to eat because of my overactive digestive system. The problems I was experiencing were really starting to get me depressed. I missed 2 days of work because of them in Dec. I think I had been waiting for things to settle down on their own, and then I realized it's been long enough (almost 4 years since my colon resection), and I need to figure this out! I remembered hearing about a low residue diet somewhere, so I thought I'd start with that. That has really helped (so far, anyway). I make sure I eat bananas and applesauce nearly everyday. Those 2 foods help the most. I started taking Citrucel each morning after breakfast, but I don't think I need to do that everyday. I've been ok without it.The next thing to work on is my weight. I really want to lose the weight I've gained back since I've been done with chemo. I can eat smaller portions (which also helps the digestive system!), and I especially need to exercise. I am too young to be so out of shape! Fatigue is a big problem for me, but I can't let that stop me. I've started drinking a small cup of coffee or tea every afternoon, and that helps!Most of all, I've realized that I've just sort of been 'going through the motions' a lot this past year, and I want to live each day more fully. I'm so blessed to be here, and I don't want to waste whatever time I've been given. I think I needed this past year, to just 'be' (I don't know how else to explain it!), but now it's time to move on and really live! (If I can find the energy!)If there are any people that like to pray reading this, please pray that the tiredness goes away, and doesn't keep me from being healthy. Pray also for me physically, that my body continues to heal from the beating it's taken the last few years. My oncologist always reminds me that I've been through a lot, and it's taken it's toll on me! I really appreciate any prayers, and if you leave me a comment or send an e-mail, I will be sure to pray for you also!As I close, I am sending up a prayer for everyone that stops by to read this. May God reveal Himself to you more fully, and may the Creator and Giver of all life bless you with health, peace, and true joy in 2013!Love,TinaPS: Some pictures from Christmas!

About Me

On Feb. 6th, 2009, at the age of 44, I was diagnosed with stage 3b colorectal cancer. I had surgery, radiation and chemo. I finished chemo on 1/20/10.
On April 1st, 2010, at the age of 45, I found out I have stage 2b HER2+ breast cancer. I again did surgery, chemo, and radiation, and 1 year of Herceptin. I finished treatment on Aug.15th,'11. I have a wonderful husband, 3 beautiful daughters, 2 sons-in-law, 2 wonderful grandsons, and a gorgeous little granddaughter!
My God is my Rock and my Fortress!